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Those in the business of managing golf course turfgrass practice cultural controls at some level. It can’t be helped. Even those not intentionally setting out to control something culturally are doing so. It’s literally unavoidable.

But unintentionally practicing a few cultural controls is simply not cutting it anymore (no pun intended) in turfgrass management. Consideration, planning and execution are not only optimal – they are required.

Required, that is, if your desire is achieving a high-quality golf course.

My favorite explanation of cultural controls is rather simple: manipulation of the growing environment. Or, more specifically, manipulating the growing environment using a variety of management techniques.

Not only does this manipulation help you achieve higher quality turfgrass, but people like to hear about it from you. They like to know that you have some sort of plan in place, whatever it is. They’re glad you’re not just blowing up gophers with sticks of dynamite and spraying chemicals randomly into the air on the slightest whim. You’ve put some sort of educated, thoughtful consideration into doing what it is you do.

But you need to ask yourself, are you intentionally or unintentionally practicing most of your cultural controls? And are you doing enough of them? Timing them correctly? Keeping up with the latest and the greatest? Are you making all the right choices?

Maybe it’s a good time to revisit the cultural controls you are most likely doing on your golf course – that manipulation of the growing environment.

LET’S CALL THESE THE BIG FIVE.

1. Aeration– The backbone of any cultural control program on a golf course. The question is not whether or not to aerify, but how much (turf) and how often.

We all know the basics: Aeration relieves soil compaction, improves oxygen availability in the root zone, increases the ability of rain and irrigation water to reach the roots, improves fertilizer uptake and reduces disease pressure.

An added benefit to aeration that just might be my favorite reason to punch holes is the increased turf density that results. More plants per square foot equals a better stand of turfgrass.

Aerification shouldn’t be limited to spring and fall, nor should it be limited to only greens and tees. Fairways need to be hit twice a year, and primary rough and surrounds at least once.

On the greens, a midsummer application with some smaller tines – even if you’re not pulling a core – has become common in the maintenance of high-quality cool-season greens.

2. Topdressing – Topdressing greens is another control you better be doing, and not just in conjunction with your aerification program. Light topdressing of greens is done on most high-quality cool-season greens, either weekly or every other week.

Beyond the most obvious benefit of smoothing the playing surface is the ability of topdressing to dilute organic matter as it is produced.

3. Verticutting – The two main functions of verticutting greens are reducing thatch and increasing density. Every other week throughout the growing season is the norm. Marrying your bimonthly verticutting program with your bimonthly topdressing program makes all the sense in the world.

One other cultural control I wanted to mention that goes along with the principal of verticutting is a deeper thatch removal on the greens once a year. A dethatcher that can go deep. We use a verticutter on our greens once a year and slice to a depth of 5/8 inch in two directions. The amount of material that is removed by this and similar machines can be staggering.

Dethatching should not be limited to just the greens. If you have the resources and ability, a tee and fairway program should be implemented as well.

4. Water management – With just a little thoughtful planning, the management of water on the golf course can certainly be considered a cultural control.

For example, watering less frequently and more deeply encourages root growth deeper into the soil, rather than near the surface where those sad little roots help form thatch. Deeper roots allow plants to withstand dry conditions better.

In the same respect, overwatering results in shallow roots, which increases the potential for soilborne diseases to crop up and encourages waterlogging. Excessive watering also stimulates weeds in the taller heights of cut, like the fairways and rough.

In this age of ever-increasing watering regulations and water shortages, there is no excusable reason to overwater your rough. If you need clarification on this, please note this year’s U.S. Open at Pinehurst and the watering “philosophies” they have adopted.

Syringing greens during stressful periods in the heat of summer is another control method used successfully in the industry.

5. Increasing heights of cut – Seems simple enough, but this little trick can do more to combat diseases and other stresses than almost anything else you can do.

Localized dry spots, thatch diseases, moss and algae outbreaks, cleanup pass wear. One of the first things you might want to try for any of these common golf course ailments is to raise the height of cut. Had too many rounds of play the last couple months, but the powers that be aren’t allowing you to aerify? Raise the height of cut!

Is this not the epitome of a cultural control?

Raising the height of cut doesn’t just pertain to your greens. Don’t cut your rough too low if you don’t have to. A higher height of cut has been proven to increase the vigor of both leaf and root growth.

In addition, try and only remove one-third of the leaf blade each time you mow. Moderate trimming is the key. If for no other reason, you don’t want to reduce the leaf size for the sake of photosynthesis.

Moderate trimming, although it sounds good, isn’t always possible. The month of May in western Washington can be a scary time for turfgrass growth. Keeping up is challenging.

In addition to the Big Five, there are a few other cultural controls that should be noted for achieving a quality golf course management program.

One of these is planting stress-tolerant cultivars in the first place. Or, if you have to, replanting so you have the right plants in place. Having species that are ultimately going to allow you to have more of a chance to combat the stresses for your area and your climate is a huge factor.

Another thing that could be considered a cultural control is the monitoring you and your staff do for plant health and pest populations.

A simplistic example of this would be that you may have the means to culturally control an infestation of tent caterpillars on your cherry trees, but without knowing where the nests are, your ability to control them would be meaningless. Have people trained and in place to help you monitor.

A quick word on rolling, which some (not me) might consider a cultural control itself. I’ve had it suggested to me that rolling greens is a form of cultural control. I get the concept, but I don’t agree. To me, a cultural control should be something done that physically improves the health of the turfgrass.

Rolling does not benefit health. It benefits playability, at least in the short term. This is where the fine line between improving your greens for the sake of their health and improving your greens for the sake of the golfer become a little muddled. I guess the same could be said for height of cut. No one in their right mind would cut their bentgrass at 0.1 inch if it wasn’t going to be putted on.

I’m not knocking the concept of rolling. We roll once a week. Like I said, it improves the playability of the greens. But I can’t get myself to consider it a cultural control, even when being done in place of a mow. Mowing, in my experience, is less stressful on golf course greens than rolling is.

One final control method I wanted to mention – follow me on this one – is actually the alteration of your current cultural controls.Simply changing things up can be a form of control in and of itself.

Just as we juggle modes of action within our fungicide programs, cultural controls can be even more successful if rotated and played with. Of course, we do this without even thinking about it. But try consciously choosing a different control method than you had planned on or that you have relied on time after time in the past.

Part of the trick of running a stellar maintenance program is having the ability to improvise and try new things – not always relying on the same old tools in the toolbox, as it were.

An open, innovative mind can be as valuable as your greens aerifier or topdresser.

Many golf facilities including Huntsville Country Club, have a nine-month golf season, which means they also have a period when the volume of play declines. So what type of activity does the golf course management staff engage in during the “off” season?

While golfer activity may be virtually non-existent during the offseason, there is still much work to be done by Me and my staff. It should be noted that a golf course is staffed on a seasonal schedule to meet demand, thus temporary workers and/or student interns may not be available during the offseason to assist the full-time staff. We have downgraded to 7 FT employees currently and will go to 4 FT employees from December till Late February.

Depending upon weather conditions, a variety of golf course projects can be completed even though the temperatures are not conducive for member play. Such activities could include sodding bare areas with turf, renovating bunkers, rebuilding tee areas, trimming and planting trees, etc. These projects could close down portions of the course if undertaken during the playing season, therefore the offseason offers the opportunity to make improvements with little or no inconvenience. Whether or not there is play on the course, superintendents must be attuned to turf conditions. For example, allowing ice to sit on the turf for extended periods can result in turf winterkill.

Various golf course accessories might also need repair. Benches, signs, water cooler containers, trash bins, ball washers, rakes, etc., may need to be built or renovated. Routine building maintenance on areas such as the clubhouse, turf care center, pump houses, green house, tennis center, etc., are often set aside for this time period. Again, delaying work on these areas until consumption patterns decline results in little interruption.

Equipment is also a focus for the golf course superintendent during this time period. Everything from purchasing to various mechanical repairs such as engine tune-ups and reel sharpening are on the schedule. Irrigation systems are in need of similar annual maintenance to ensure that they do not get damaged during extreme cold spells.

The offseason also provides the opportunity to complete a variety of business management responsibilities. Annual plans and budgets must be developed and then presented to the appropriate club leaders. Inventories for fertilizers, pesticides, seed and other supplies need to be replenished. Staffing plans must be developed and employees have to be secured for the golf season. Golf course managers should also review their course conditioning programs on annual basis. Issues such as turf selection, green speed, bunker sand characteristics, fairway widths and integrated pest management programs all require significant research and planning.

Staff development is also a requirement for golf course managers. Superintendents and assistants participate in regional education seminars and attend the GCSAA Education Conference and Golf Industry Show. These continuing education opportunities provide information on the latest management techniques, products and services available to course managers. The opportunity to network with peers and learn how others tackle challenges can result in significant benefits to a facility, some of which do not have a price tag.

For more information regarding golf course management practices, contact me at; mark@huntsvillecountryclub.com or visit one of our social media outlets and make contact through those pages.

Within the next few weeks, we will start to see morning temps hit the low 30’s or below, which means it’s time for the dreaded;

F R O S T D E L A Y!!!

When frost is present we will delay play until the frost has melted. This is done to prevent damage that affects the quality of the playing surface and could potentially be very expensive to repair.

Frost is basically frozen dew that has crystallized on the grass, making it hard and brittle. A grass blade is actually 90 percent water, therefore it also freezes. Because of the short mowing height (sometimes as low as 1/8 inch) and fragile nature of the turf, putting greens are most affected by frost. Walking on frost-covered greens causes the plant to break and cell walls to rupture, thereby losing its ability to function normally. When the membrane is broken, much like an egg, it cannot be put back together.

Golfers who ignore frost delays will not see immediate damage. The proof generally comes 48-72 hours later as the plant leaves turn brown and die. The result is a thinning of the putting surface and a weakening of the plant. The greens in turn become more susceptible to disease and weeds. While it may not appear to be much of an issue if a foursome begins play early on frost covered greens, consider the number of footprints that may occur on any given hole by one person is approximately 60. Multiply that by 18 holes with an average of 200 rounds per day and the result is 216,000 footprints on greens in a day or 6,480,000 in a month.

As a golf enthusiast, I do not like to delay play, but I am more concerned about turf damage and the quality of conditions for the golfer. Frost also creates a hardship on a golf facility’s staff as all course preparations are put to a halt until thawing occurs. Golf carts can cause considerable damage, therefore personnel cannot maneuver around the course to mow, change cup positions, collect range balls, etc.

One technique employed to reduce possible frost damage is to raise the cutting height of mowers to create a hardier surface. It may also be possible to reroute play to holes where the frost melts more quickly. But regardless of these methods, the best medicine is for all to understand the hows and whys of the delay and in turn gain a greater appreciation for the golf course. It would also be wise to give the course a phone call before heading out to play to see if tee times have been pushed back due to frost.

Developing a solid philosophy that is based on the vision, mission and values of the organization is the foundation that successful employees and teams are built upon. Vision in business requires that you clearly see where you choose to be in future and formulate the necessary steps to get your organization there. Creating and sustaining a vision for an organization calls for discipline and creativity.

The vision for my department is to provide a challenging yet enjoyable course and an environment where guests of all golf levels, from casual to expert, can create memorable experiences.

A leader must have the passion, strength of will and necessary knowledge to achieve long-term goals. Our vision drives our goals. A focused individual who can inspire his team to reach organizational goals is a visionary leader. To cultivate this loyalty the attitude of supervisors is of utmost importance. Growing grass is very easy; to form and grow a team is a challenge that requires vision, attitude and discipline. As a leader, I strive to make leaders out of my staff in order to encourage them to learn and grow both within and outside of their job functions and department. It is important to create a personal sense of ownership and belonging for employees. We will also designed a mission, values and rules that my department follows to meet the expectations of our members, guests and owners. Our mission is to provide exceptional recreational and social opportunities to our members, guests and anyone interested in gaining positive experiences through maintaining high expectations of excellence. Our values include:

Our members are our most important asset.

Our staff is a critical and vitally important element in our continued success.

We treat all people, fellow members, guests, staff and suppliers, as we would like to be treated.

We are respectful, friendly, courteous and honest in our relations.

We value friendships and enjoyable recreational and social experiences.

We value teamwork and volunteerism in pursuing excellence.

We value the traditions, heritage and etiquette of the game of golf.

Leadership and management will be open and transparent as they strive to continuously improve our quality customer satisfaction in a fiscally responsible manner.

The objective is to foster skills that will benefit employees in both their professional and personal lives. There are five core rules that establish discipline expectations and govern our department.

Be Safe.

Be kind to others.

Give each task your best.

If you make a mistake, tell someone.

Have fun.

These rules are essential to the smooth operation of our facility and ensure that we are all operating within our philosophy each and every day. We have weekly meetings within the department to discuss important issues such as; member and guest comments, management announcements, tasks that need focus and improvement and ideas/suggestions on how it can be done, congratulations for hard work, encouragement for giving best efforts, reinforcement of our vision and rules and an opportunity for employees to voice comments, suggestions and/or questions. These meetings are an important facet of our philosophy because it is a structured reminder of the philosophy and expectations of our department.

We focus on these skills:

Interpersonal skills – proper introductions when greeting someone or meeting someone new and how to effectively communicate with others.

A well-treated and motivated staff will develop loyalty and remain with a company for a long time. The goal is to create a culture of gratitude within your department. The role of the leader of the department is to effectively role-model the ways to show gratitude at all possible times. Here are three strong examples of ways you can establish a culture of gratitude within your organization or department. The first example is to encourage employees to celebrate each other This could be done by some type of structured recognition program where people can praise co-workers for specific behaviors or attitudes or another option would be a more anonymous recognition program where employees are encouraged to leave notes of gratitude for other employees in a designated location.

The second example is to show your appreciation for the entire team by hosting special events or activities. I do this in my department by having a monthly luncheon to show appreciation for my staff and their hard work. Another major event was a scramble tournament for employees that we planned. This allowed the employees to play golf on the course and increase team building skills while experiencing the importance of etiquette and safety, seeing things from the perspective of a member or guest on the course and recognizing what guest/member needs are. The main guideline for the scramble tournament was be positive, enjoy what you do, have fun, be happy and you will be successful. Last, but not least, make “thank you” a phrase heard daily. These two simple words have a significant impact on making employees, and people in general, feel valued and appreciated. By establishing a culture of gratitude, you will not only have happier employees, but employees who are more engaged, motivated, and loyal.

My philosophy focuses on teaching and demonstrating to my employees the values for life, teamwork, etiquette, communication, leadership and motivation and then most importantly, having the expectation that they put these skills to use every day on the job.

“Train people well enough so they can leave; treat them well enough so they don’t want to.”

What is the one thing on a golf course that costs an exorbitant amount of money, most golfers never see, and most modern golf courses can’t survive without? An irrigation system. The efficient application of water is playing an increasingly important role as golf courses are focused more than ever on conserving water resources and protecting water quality. In the western U.S., water shortages and the rising cost of water has put more emphasis than ever on irrigation system efficiency. In the eastern U.S. and other parts of the country with plentiful rainfall, an efficient irrigation system helps golf facilities comply with strict water-use regulations and contributes to better course conditioning. Like all mechanical systems, sprinklers, pipes, fittings, controllers and other components experience wear and tear and will need to be replaced at some point. However, when budgets are tight and replacement costs are on the rise, the question becomes “When is it time to replace the irrigation system?”

Today’s computerized irrigation systems are expensive. However they greatly enhance the management of water, energy, and labor resources, making them good investments.

In general, as irrigation systems age beyond 25 years they tend to experience more frequent breakdowns, components become obsolete and finding replacement parts may be more difficult. However, just because parts of an irrigation system are old in no way implies they are past their usefulness; age is just a relatively easy way to anticipate general fatigue and wear on irrigation systems. The American Society of Golf Course Architects published guidelines regarding the expected life span of various irrigation system components (Fig. 1). The guidelines are a general estimate of how long each item should last under normal circumstances. Areas of the country with a 12-month irrigation season can expect accelerated wear compared to golf courses in seasonal climates where irrigation systems are only used for a few months. Although golf courses in colder climates may only use an irrigation system for six to eight months, freeze/thaw cycles and winterization processes can weaken pipes and fittings, thus reducing the expected life span of those components.

So how does all this impact your game? Most obvious is the health of the turfgrass on which the game is played. Properly designed and operated irrigation systems promote healthy turfgrass and greatly reduce isolated wet and dry spots. Then there is the impact on your pocketbook. New irrigation systems are expensive. But a system that is overdue replacement is also. Constant repairs are costly and detract from the care of the course. Older systems are not near as energy efficient which also adds up. And, if your course is located in a part of the country where water is very expensive, an old system can literally put you out of business.